Container carrier



A ril 16, 1963 o. J. POUPITCH CONTAINER CARRIER Original Filed oct. 30, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l KIM/Z2247 April 16, 1963 o. J. POUPITCH CONTAINER CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 30, 1950 United States Patent 3,085,682 CGNTAINER QARRIER Gagljesa Jules Poupiteh, Itasca, 3th., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Iilinois Tool Worlrs, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Griginai application Get. 39, 1959, Ser. 'No. 192,921. Divided and this application Apr. 28, 1960, Ser. No.

9 Claims. (Q5. 2t3665) my application Serial No. 610,770, filed September 19,

195 6, now abandoned.

The present invention is concerned primarily with carriers of the type referred to above incorporating as a part of the handle structure, an element or clip adapted to be produced from stock, as for example sheet metal, which may be attached expeditiously with a firm grip to adjacent extremities or rims of containers.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates the use of a very simple one piece clip as referred to above of novel construction adapted to interlock with adjacent rim portions of a pair of containers, such as the adjacent beaded extremities of a pair of cans, by deflecting or shifting a portion of the clip after initial application thereof to the container extremity.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a container carrier in the form of a handle capable of being produced from suitable sheet stock, such as paper or cardboard, this handle structure serving to support a plurality of the above mentioned clips, thereby enabling the single handle structure to support a plurality of adjacently positioned containers or cans.

It is also contemplated to provide a very inexpensive handle structure of the type previously referred to presenting sufilcient surface area to permit the application thereto advertising, trademark indicia and the like.

The present invention lends itself for simple methods of attachment of carrier clips, such, for example, as clips formed from sheet metal or other suitable stock by bringing the clip into association with adjacently positioned peripheral portions of the container extremities and subsequently deforming a portion of the clip to establish complete attachment, thus making it possible. to assemble the carriers with the can extremities as they are advanced in pairs from conventional can-handling apparatus.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carton containing twenty-four containers or cans, each group of six cans having attached thereto a carrier of the type contemplated by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional disclosure of the carton of FIG. 1 resting upon conventional conveyor rollers, and a pair of auxiliary rollers positioned at the upper side thereof for bending or deforming sheet metal carrier clips into final attachment to pairs of cans;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a set of four can carrier devices or units similar to those shown in FIG. 1, disclosing the manner in which scoring of the handle portion permits separation of each unit for carrying six cans;

FIG. 4 is a plan View of one of the can carrier units after detachment from one of the four units illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the can carrier unit of FIG. 4 attached to six cans before the handle portion has been folded into carrying position;

FIG. -6 is a perspective view similar .to'FIG. 5 after the handle has been folded upwardly into can carrying position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of a sheet metal carrier clip contemplated by the present invention, said clip being shown just prior to its attachment to the handle structure;

FIG. 8 is'a plan view of the clip shown in FIG. 7 in operative association with a pair of adjacently' positioned cans;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8, to disclose the position of'the deformable portions of the clip prior to final assembly with the beaded can extremities;

FIG. 10 is 'a sectional view similar to FIG. 9, disclosing the clip in its final position of assembly or attachment to the cans;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of a clip representing a modification of'the invention, said clip being in position to be received by spaced apertures in the handle structure; I FIG. l2 is'a plan view of the clip and handle structure of FIG. -11 in superimposing relation with respect to adjacent cans;

FIG. 13 is a'fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner in which the clip of FIGS. 11 and 12 interlocks with the beaded extremity of adjacent cans;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view takensubstantially along the line 14-44 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is an elevational view illustrating another modified form of clip.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, wherein likenumerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughoutthe various figures, it will be seen that one embodiment of the present invention contemplates theuse ofa clip designated generally bythe'numeral 2 in FIGS. 1 to 10,'inclusive. This clip 2 is'best disclosed in detail by the perspective View of FIG. 7. Before describing the clip 2 in "detail, it should be understood that a complete can carrier unit consists of a plurality of these clips attached to a handle structure which may be made of suitable inexpensive sheet material, such as cardboard or the like. One of these cardboard handle structures is shown in FIG. 4'and is designated generally by the numeral 4. It may be found practical in the production of carrier units contemplated hereby toemploy asheet'of cardboard as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 from which'four of the handle sections 4 maybe provided. It will be noted-that transverse scorings '6 serve to facilitate detachment of the single cardboard unit 4- from the larger unit shown inFIG. 3. The significance of this construction will be more apparent as the description progresses. It will also be seen from FIG. 6 that the handle structure 4 may be bent or folded together after the clips 2 have been secured tocontainers or cans 8, thereby presenting an opening 10 to receive the users fingers. A flap 12 cooperates to hold the two folded sections of the handle structure together when gripped by the user.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the invention contemplates a carrier-devicewhich presents a handle structure 4 havingattached thereto a-plurality of canholding clips 2, each clip cooperating with adjacent beaded extremities 14 of a pair of cans 8 to secure the cans 'aga'inst'separation from the handle. Particular attention is directed to the features of construction of-the carrier-clip 2. This clip 2 constitutes a one-piece structure which may comprise a single sheet metal'stamping. The clip- 2. includes an elongated body portion 16 supporting at each extremity thereof locking means or elements 18 which are bent out of the plane of the body. Arcuate sections 19 integrally joining the body and elements 18 provide rib-like sections for reinforcing the body and restraining transverse bending or collapsing of the body. These elements 18 are spaced from each other a distance which is sufficient to permit their insertion in the space between the peripheries of adjacent can extremities as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and each of the elements 18 present a pair of oppositely disposed shoulders 20 designed to underlie complementary beads 14 of each pair of adjacently positioned cans 8 as clearly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The upwardly facing surfaces of the shoulders extend so that they are capable of substantially completely traversing the beads or rims 14 with outermost margins 21 of the shoulders substantially abutting the sides of the cans.

The clip 2 also incorporates at each extremity thereof locking means or lugs 22 which are positioned in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the elements 18. The lugs are hingedly connected to opposed side margins of the clip body 16 by wing members 24. It will be noted that these wing members are preferably embossed or ribbed to lend transverse strength. The lugs 22 are initially formed so that they flare laterally outwardly as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. Margins 23 of the lugs and adjacent margins 21 of the shoulders define downwardly and outwardly opening throats 25 sufficiently wider than the rims to enable the rims to pass through the throats during assembly of the clip and cans while the cans are held in parallel relationship with respect to each other. This greatly facilitates handling of the cans and the assembly operation.

From the description thus far given, it will be understood that the clips 2 may first be attached to their respective cardboard handle structures 4 by inserting the elements 18 through complementary slits 26 in the handle 4. In instances where it is desirable to further secure the clip against dislodgement from the handle structure after the insertion of the elements 18 within the slits 26, suitable struck out prongs or barbs 28 may be employed. These barbs 28 are sharply pointed and will pierce the cardboard. After insertion, the prongs 28 may be bent into underlying relation with respect to the handle, thereby crimping the clip to the handle. It has been found in some instances that no auxiliary fastening elements or prongs are necessary, this being particularly true where the slits 26 are so narrow that the opposed walls which define each slit firictionally engage opposite sides of the elements 18.

After the clips 2 have been applied to the handle sections 4, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the cardboard sheet comprised of the four handle structures is in readiness to be applied to the twenty-four cans carried in side-by-side substantially abutting and parallel relationship by a conventional shipping carton 30, FIG. 1. Upon initial association of the combined cardboard handle section 4 and clips 2 with the upper beaded margins of the cans 8, the elements 18 and locking lugs 22 of each clip occupy the position illustrated in FIG. 9. In this position, as mentioned above, the margins of the lugs 22 are flared outwardly a sufiicient amount to receive the can beads or rims 14- without substantially disturbing the parallel relationship of the cans and to permit the shoulders 20 of the elements 18 to underlie the bead or rim along the outer periphery of each complementary can 8. By the use of rollers 32, or other suitable means, pressure may be applied to the upstanding lugs 22 so as to fold and permanently set the lugs into the position shown in FIG. 10 to close the throats. By thus deforming or shifting the clip structure, the upper rims of each pair of adjacent cans are positively interlocked with a companion clip with the elements '22 engaging the inner rim surfaces for substantially the full depth of the rims and the shoulders completely traversing the downwardly facing outer surfaces of the rims. In addition, the locking means 18 provide upstanding abutment surfaces 33 which engage the upstanding outer peripheral surfaces of the rims and cooperate with the upstanding rim engaging surfaces of the folded element 22 to restrain tilting of the cans laterally away from each other. It also should be noted that cooperable pairs of locking means 20 and 22 at the opposite side margins of the clip body include portions provided by the pairs of shoulders and lugs at opposite ends of the clip body which engage the rims at arcuately substantially spaced areas for resisting twisting of the cans relative to each other. It will be appreciated that all of the clips 2 are attached to their respective containers or cans by the application of force longitudinally of the cans. It is contemplated that this method of attachment may be practiced in various ways, depending upon the type of can-handling equipment which is employed just prior to the association of the clips with the cans.

After the three clips 2 of each cardboard handle section or unit 4 have been attached to six complementary cans, the carton 30 may be closed for shipment, the four connected cardboard sections remaining in their co-planar relation. When the shipping carton reaches its point of destination and the merchandise is to be removed therefrom and placed on the shelves in a store, each section 4 may be separated along the score line 6. Due to the flush relationship of the handle sections 4 with the can extremities, each section supporting six cans may be stacked one upon the other. To render the section 4 operable as a handle, it is only necessary for the ultimate purchaser to fold both sides of said section together upwardly along longitudinal score lines and then bend the flap 12 into overlapping relation as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this position, the handle 4 serves to carry the six cans, with the upper adjacent beaded extremities thereof held securely by the clips 2. Obviously, there will be a tendency for the lower adjacent extremities of each pair of cans to bear against each other when they are suspended from the handle 4. By making the handle structure 4 of suitable inexpensive sheet stock, such as heavy paper or cardboard, sufficient area is provided to enable the application thereto of indicia, such as advertising, trademarks, etc. To detach a can from the carrier, it is only necessary to tilt the lower extremities of adjacent cans outwardly. Or, in other words, pivot the cans about the shoulders 20. This will cause the lugs 22 to be shifted sufficiently to enable disengagement of the head from said lugs and shoulders.

It is contemplated that there may be instances where the clips may be attached to the cans simultaneously with the attachment thereof to the cardboard handles. The invention obviously contemplates either method attachment, depending upon the nature of the can-handling equipment employed and depending also upon the nature of the cans and the type of handle structure with which the clip is to be used. By locking the beads 14 within an area defined by the shoulder 20, the adjacent edge of the neck portion of the element 18 and the complementary edge of the lugs 22, a very strong yet structurally simple coupling arrangement is presented. In fact, this particular coupling arrangement lends itself for use with a wide variety of sizes and shapes of can extremities without the necessity of shaping the clip to conform with the arcuate contour of the container extremity. It also serves to provide a very strong carrying clip with a minimum amount of sheet metal stock, thereby reducing ma terially the cost of manufacture.

In FIGS. 11 to 14, inclusive, another form of clip contemplated by the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 2a. This clip 2a is practically identical structurally with the clip 2 previously described, and the constituent parts thereof are identified by numbers corresponding with the numbers employed to designated parts of the clip 2 except that they bear the suffix a. The only distinguishing feature of the clip Zn from the clip 2 is that in applying the clip to the handle structure and also engageable with the peripheral edges of the rims.

with the adjacent can peripheries, the elements 18a are bent out of the plane of the body 16a to the positions shown in FIG. 13 after the clip in the form shown in FIG. 11 has been brought into juxtaposition with the handle structure 4. It will be noted that triangular recesses 26a corresponding with the shape of the outer extremity of the elements 18a are provided in the handle structure. This permits clearance for the element 18a as it is bent normal to the plane of the body 16a. By thus deforming or deflecting a portion of the clip a pair of cans are coupled to the clip and handle.

in following the method of attaching the clip 2a to the adjacent extremities of a pair of cans, it is only necessary to apply pressure to the elements 18a after the parts have been moved into proper juxtaposition as shown in FIG. 14. Instead of employing rollers 32 which may be used for attaching clips 2, a pair of plungers 32a may be used to bend the elements 18a from the solid line position in FIG. 14 to the dotted line position. The use of plungers, like the use of rollers, make it possible to perform the attaching or assembling operation after the cans emerge from conventional can-handling machinery.

In FIG. 15 a clip 21) is disclosed. Hook-shaped rim engaging elements 13b correspond functionally with the previously described elements 18. It is to be noted that the free corner portions of the elements 18b provide shoulders or surfaces 201) engageable beneath the can rims, and the opposite edges 33b of the portions 131'; are

Another structural difference of the clip 20 over the clip'Z is that the fingers 22]) extend generally toward the hooklike portions and are bent upwardly from the body of the clip to afford added length to the fingers. As the clip is moved into operative association with a pair of can rims, downward pressure may be asserted against the upwardly bent portions of the fingers 22b, thereby causing said fingers to elongate to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 8 and thereby close the throats. In this position, these fingers cooperate with the elements 13b in positively attaching the clip to the complementary container rims.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention contemplates a container carrier which has a very practical application to containers provided with beaded extremities, and the like. It enables such containers when adjacently positioned to receive a clip of extremely simple, yet sturdy construction, without necessity of disturbing the position of the container. That is to say, all of the .clips disclosed herein are so arranged as to permit distortion or shifting of a portion of the clip in order to bring about final attachment thereof to the container rims. The simplicity of the clip design and the ease with which such clips may be applied to a plurality of pairs of containers, such as beaded cans, makes it possible to reduce materially the ultimate cost to the consumer of the completed can carrier device. Wh1le, for purposes of illustration, a handle structure made of non-metallic sheet stock, such as paper or cardboard, has been shown other forms of handle structures may be employed which readily lend themselves for association with resilient clips of the type contemplated hereby. While, for purposes of illustration, certain specific forms of can carriers have been disclosed herein, it will be apparent that other modifications and changes in structure are contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A package comprising a pair of adj acently positioned containers having beaded rims, a one piece clip structure fastening said containers together, said clip structure comprising a substantially planar body portion of sheet material, first locking means on each side of said body portion engaging the inner rim surfaces of two adjacent containers, and second locking means integral with said body portion and disposed between said first mentioned lookhaving wing portions from the 'stantially symmetrically with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane through the body,

ing means, said second locking means comprising spaced flat portions of said sheet material extending downwardly from the ends of said body portion adjacent the ends of said first locking means and transversely between said containers, each said downwardly extending portion being notched at both sides to provide abutment members engaging the outer rim surfaces of said two adjacent containers and opposed shoulder sections underlying the outwardly projecting portions of the beaded rims, said first and second locking means having the beaded rims locked to prevent removal of the containers without relative movement of the first and second locking means away from each other.

2. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided handle means attached to and supporting the clip structure and containers.

3. A one piece carrier clip structure for attachment to a pair of containers having beaded rims, and comprising a body having a depending portion adapted to be disposed between adjacent containers, said depending portion being substantially symmetrical on opposite sides of a vertical longitudinal plane through the body and having on each side of said plane an outwardly facing vertical abutment surface adapted to engage the adjacent outer surface of the beaded rim of an adjacent container, said depending portion also having on each side of said plane on outwardly projecting shoulder adjacent the bottom of each corresponding abutment surface and each shoulder presenting a substantially rigid horizontal surface projecting outwardly from the said plane and adapted to underlie the bottom edge of the beaded rim of --an adjacent container, said body having on opposite sides of the said plane outwardly extending portions adjacent the depending portion and adapted to overlie the tops of the beaded rims of adjacent containers, each said outwardly extending portions being disposed at predetermined angularity with respect to the body and including a depending locking portion disposed in opposition to the adjacent abutment surface and shoulder and spaced :a predetermined gap therefrom, and each said outwardly extending portion with its locking portion being shiftable downwardly toward the adjacent abutment surface and shoulder to reduce the predetermined gap for trapping the beaded rim of a container positioned therebetween.

4. A carrier clip structure for attachment to a pair of containers having beaded rims, and comprising a body projecting transversely outwardly body adjacent the ends thereof and disposed sub said wing portions being initially disposed a predetermined angularity with respect to said body and each said wing portion having a depending locking lug, means providing a locking member ad-' jacent the ends of said body and depending therefrom and adapted for cooperation with said locking lugs, said looking member traversing and being symmetrical with respect to the aforesaid plane and including a vertical abutment surface on each side of said plane and each abutment surface terminating in an outwardly extending locking shoulder disposed adjacent and facing a corresponding locking lug and adapted to receive the beaded rim of a container therebet-ween, each said wing portion with its corresponding locking lug being in opposition to a corresponding abutment surface and locking shoulder and shiftable downwardly to reduce the gap between the locking lugs and the locking shoulders for trapping the beaded rims of adjacent container-s positioned therebetween.

5. A carrier clip structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the depending look-ing member is in the form of a continuation of the body and bent downwardly at the end thereof and at substantially right angles thereto.

6. A carrier clip structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the locking member is disposed in a plane substantially transversely of the body and normal to the aforesaid vertical plane therethrough, and wherein each locking lug is disposed substantially in the plane of said locking member.

7. A package comprising a pair of adjacently positioned containers having annular axially and radially projecting rims, a one piece sheet material clip structure fastening said containers together, said clip structure comprising a substantially planar body portion traversing an area of substantial abutment of the containers and having end portions extending between the containers at opposite sides of said area, first locking means on each side of said body portion engaging inner rim surfaces of said adjacent containers, and a pair of second loc'ing means respectively integral with said opposite end portions of said body portion and disposed between said first mentioned locking means, each of said second locking means comprising a continuation of its associated end portion of the body portion depending from the body portion and being substantially symmetrically disposed with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane through the body portion, each of said depending continuations including a substantially vertical abutment surface on each side of said plane engageable with outer surfaces of said container rims and upwardly facing shoulder surfaces at opposite sides of said plane extending beneath and engaging said rims of the containers, said first and second locking means having the rims locked therebetween to prevent removal of the containers without relative movement of the first and second locking means away from each other.

8. A package comprising a pair of adjacently positioned containers having annular axially and radially projecting rims, and a one-piece clip structure fastening said containers together, said clip structure comprising a substantially planar body portion extending between opposite sides of an area of closest proximity of the containers and having sections extending between the containers at said opposite sides of said area, first locking means including downwardly extending elements on each side of said body portion engaging inner rim surfaces of said adjacent containers, each of said first locking means de pending from a junction with an adjacent part of the clip structure, which junction and part are substantially in the plane of said body portion and each element extending transversely of the plane of said body portion, and a second pair of locking means respectively integral with said sections of said body portion and disposed between said first mentioned locking means, each of said second locking means comprising an element depending from its associated section of the body portion and being substantially symmetrically disposed with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane through said body portion axis, each of said last mentioned elements including a substantially vertical surface on each side of said plane and extending generally along outer surfaces of said container rims and upwardly facing shoulder surfaces at opposite sides of said plane extending beneath and engaging said rims of the containers, said first and second locking means having the rims locked therebetween to prevent removal of the containers without relative movement of the first and second locking means.

9. A one-piece clip structure for removably fastening together a plurality of adjacently disposed cylindrical cans each having an annular axially and radially projecting rim, comprising a substantially planar body portion for overlying and engaging upper edges of said rims and for extending between opposite sides of an area of closest proximity of the cans when the clip is applied to the cans, said body portion including spaced sections for ex tending between the cans at said opposite sides of said area when the clip structure is applied to the cans, first locking means including elements on each side of said body portion for engaging inner rim surfaces of the cans, each of said first locking means elements depending from a junction with an adjacent part of the clip structure, which junction and part are substantially in the plane of said body portion and each element extending transversely of the plane of said body portion, and a second pair of locking means respectively integral with said sections of said body portion and disposed between said first mentioned locking means, each of said second locking means comprising an element depending from its associated section of the body portion and being substantially symmetrically disposed with respect to a vertical longitudinal plane through said body portion axis, each of said last mentioned elements including a substantially vertically disposed surface on each side of said plane engageable with outer surfaces of said can rims when the clip structure is applied to said cans, each of said last mentioned elements including upwardly facing shoulder surfaces at opposite sides of said plane for extending beneath and engaging said can rims when the clip structure is applied to the cans, and said first mentioned ele ments being shiftable relative to said shoulder surfaces for locking the can rims between said first and second locking means when the clip structure is applied to the cans and for preventing removal of the cans without subsequent relative movement of the first and second locking means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,234,809 Silva Mar. 11, 1941 2,384,112 Meyer Sept. 4, 1945 2,815,855 Fisher Dec. 10, 1957 

1. A PACKAGE COMPRISING A PAIR OF ADJACENTLY POSITIONED CONTAINERS HAVING BEADED RIMS, A ONE PIECE CLIP STRUCTURE FASTENING SAID CONTAINERS TOGETHER, SAID CLIP STRUCTURE COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR BODY PORTION OF SHEET MATERIAL, FIRST LOCKING MEANS ON EACH SIDE OF SAID BODY PORTION ENGAGING THE INNER RIM SURFACES OF TWO ADJACENT CONTAINERS, AND SECOND LOCKING MEANS INTEGRAL WITH SAID BODY PORTION AND DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FIRST MENTIONED LOCKING MEANS, SAID SECOND LOCKING MEANS COMPRISING SPACED FLAT PORTIONS OF SAID SHEET MATERIAL EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE ENDS OF SAID BODY PORTION ADJACENT THE ENDS OF SAID FIRST LOCKING MEANS AND TRANSVERSELY BETWEEN SAID CONTAINERS, EACH SAID DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING PORTION BEING NOTCHED AT BOTH SIDES TO PROVIDE ABUTMENT MEMBERS ENGAGING THE OUTER RIM SURFACES OF SAID TWO ADJACENT CONTAINERS AND OPPOSED SHOULDER SECTIONS UNDERLYING THE OUTWARDLY PROJECTING PORTIONS OF THE BEADED RIMS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND LOCKING MEANS HAVING THE BEADED RIMS LOCKED TO PREVENT REMOVAL OF THE CONTAINERS WITHOUT RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF THE FIRST AND SECOND LOCKING MEANS AWAY FROM EACH OTHER. 